Wiper System & Washer System - Service Information: Overview Dodge Nitro I

Scheme 1

An electrically operated intermittent front wiper and washer system is standard factory-installed safety equipment on this vehicle. The wiper and washer system includes the following major components, which are described in further detail elsewhere in this service information

1. ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster - The ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN) is located on the instrument panel directly in front of the driver. Refer to «DESCRIPTION»(ref-306158-S02989763872008120900000) .
2. Front Washer Nozzle (3) - Two fluidic front washer nozzles with integral check valves are secured by integral latch features to dedicated openings in the hood panel near the base of the windshield.
3. Front Washer Plumbing - The plumbing for the washer system consists of rubber hoses and molded rubber or plastic fittings. The plumbing is routed across the front of the engine compartment to the right side of the engine compartment from the washer reservoir on the left side of the cooling module, and through the cowl plenum panel to the underside of the hood panel and the washer nozzles.
4. Front Wiper Arms And Blades (5) - The two front wiper arms are secured with nuts to the threaded ends of the two wiper pivot shafts, which extend through the cowl plenum cover/grille panel located near the base of the windshield. The two equal length front wiper blades are each secured to their equal length wiper arms with an integral latch, and are parked on the glass near the bottom of the windshield when the wiper system is not in operation.
5. Front Wiper Module (4) - The wiper pivot shafts are the only visible components of the front wiper module. The remainder of the module is concealed within the cowl plenum area beneath the cowl plenum cover/grille panel. The wiper module includes the wiper module bracket, three rubber-isolated wiper module mounts, the wiper motor, the wiper motor crank arm, the two wiper drive links, and the two wiper pivots.
6. Right Multi-Function Switch (6) - The right (wiper) multi-function switch and the left (lighting) multi-function switch are secured to brackets integral to the clockspring housing on the top of the steering column just below the steering wheel. The right multi-function switch is connected by a short jumper harness to the Steering Control Module (SCM), which is internal to the left multi-function switch housing. Only the switch control stalk extending from the right side of the steering column is visible, while the remainder of the switch is concealed beneath the steering column shrouds. The right multi-function switch is dedicated to providing all of the driver controls for both the front and rear wiper and washer systems.
7. Steering Control Module - The Steering Control Module (SCM) is internal to the left multi-function switch housing, which is secured to a bracket integral to the left side of the clockspring housing on the top of the steering column just below the steering wheel. Only the left switch control stalk extending from the left side of the steering column is visible, while the remainder of the switch housing containing the SCM is concealed beneath the steering column shrouds. Refer to «DESCRIPTION»(ref-306152-S25392363742008120900000) .
8. Totally Integrated Power Module (2) - The Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) is located in the engine compartment, near the battery. Refer to «DESCRIPTION»(ref-306182-S08022125352008120900000) .
9. Washer Pump/Motor - The reversible electric washer pump/motor unit is located in a dedicated hole on the lower outboard side of the washer reservoir, on the left side of the cooling module fan shroud. This single reversible washer pump/motor provides washer fluid to either the front or rear washer system plumbing, depending upon the direction of the pump motor rotation.
10. Washer Reservoir (1) - The washer reservoir is integral to the coolant reserve bottle, which sits astride the fan shroud of the cooling module. The reservoir filler cap is accessed from the left front corner of the engine compartment.

Hard wired circuitry connects the front wiper and washer system components to the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system and to the front wiper and washer system components through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors, and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS . The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin-out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

Scheme 2

An electrically operated fixed interval intermittent rear wiper and washer system is standard factory-installed equipment on this vehicle. The rear wiper and washer system includes the following major components, which are described in further detail elsewhere in this service information

1. ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster - The ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN) is located on the instrument panel directly in front of the driver. Refer to «DESCRIPTION»(ref-306158-S02989763872008120900000) .
2. Rear Washer Nozzle (4) - A fluidic rear washer nozzle is secured by integral latch features to a mounting hole on the right side of the Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) on the liftgate outer panel above the liftgate glass opening.
3. Rear Washer Plumbing - The plumbing for the washer system consists of rubber hoses and molded rubber or plastic fittings. The plumbing is routed across the front of the engine compartment to the right side of the engine compartment from the washer reservoir on the left side of the cooling module, and through the dash into the passenger compartment. Then it is routed up the right cowl side and A-pillar to the headliner, and above the headliner to the upper liftgate opening header, then through the upper inner liftgate panel to the rear washer nozzle.
4. Rear Wiper Arm And Blade (6) - The single rear wiper arm is secured by a nut directly to the rear wiper motor output shaft, which extends through the center of the liftgate outer panel near the base of the liftgate glass. The single rear wiper blade is secured to the rear wiper arm with an integral latch, and is parked at the base of the liftgate glass when the rear wiper system is not in operation.
5. Rear Wiper Motor (5) - The rear wiper motor includes the motor bracket and three rubber-isolated mounting tabs. The wiper motor output shaft is the only visible component of the rear wiper motor. The remainder of the motor is concealed by the liftgate inner trim just below the liftgate glass opening.
6. Right Multi-Function Switch (3) - The right (wiper) multi-function switch and the left (lighting) multi-function switch are secured to brackets integral to the clockspring housing, on the top of the steering column just below the steering wheel. The right multi-function switch is connected by a short jumper harness to the Steering Control Module (SCM), which is internal to the left multi-function switch housing. Only the switch control stalk extending from the right side of the steering column is visible, while the remainder of the switch is concealed beneath the steering column shrouds. The right multi-function switch is dedicated to providing all of the driver controls for both the front and rear wiper and washer systems.
7. Steering Control Module - The Steering Control Module (SCM) is internal to the left multi-function switch housing, which is secured to a bracket integral to the left side of the clockspring housing on the top of the steering column just below the steering wheel. Only the left switch control stalk extending from the left side of the steering column is visible, while the remainder of the switch housing containing the SCM is concealed beneath the steering column shrouds. Refer to «DESCRIPTION»(ref-306152-S25392363742008120900000) .
8. Totally Integrated Power Module (2) - The Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) is located in the engine compartment, near the battery. Refer to «DESCRIPTION»(ref-306182-S08022125352008120900000) .
9. Washer Pump/Motor - The reversible electric washer pump/motor unit is located in a dedicated hole on the lower outboard side of the washer reservoir, on the left side of the cooling module fan shroud. This single reversible washer pump/motor provides washer fluid to either the front or rear washer system plumbing, depending upon the direction of the pump motor rotation.
10. Washer Reservoir (1) - The washer reservoir is integral to the coolant reserve bottle, which sits astride the fan shroud of the cooling module. The reservoir filler cap is accessed from the left front corner of the engine compartment.

Hard wired circuitry connects the rear wiper and washer system components to the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system and to the rear wiper and washer system components through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors, and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS . The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin-out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

Scheme 3

The front wiper and washer system is designed to provide the vehicle operator with a convenient, safe, and reliable means of maintaining visibility through the windshield glass. The various components of this system are designed to convert electrical energy produced by the vehicle electrical system into the mechanical action of the wiper blades to wipe the outside surface of the glass, as well as into the hydraulic action of the washer system to apply washer fluid stored in an on-board reservoir to the area of the glass to be wiped. When combined, these components provide the means to effectively maintain clear visibility for the vehicle operator by removing excess accumulations of rain, snow, bugs, mud, or other minor debris from the outer surface of the windshield glass that might be encountered while driving the vehicle under numerous types of inclement operating conditions.

The vehicle operator initiates all front and rear wiper and washer system functions with the control stalk of the right (wiper) multi-function switch (1) that extends from the right side of the steering column, just below the steering wheel. Rotating the control knob (2) on the end of the control stalk, selects the OFF, DELAY, LOW, or HIGH front wiper system operating modes. In the DELAY mode, the control knob also allows the vehicle operator to select from one of five intermittent wipe delay intervals.

Pulling the control stalk rearward actuates the momentary front washer system switch, which selects the WASH and WIPE-AFTER-WASH modes, depending upon when and how long the switch is held closed. Pushing the control stalk downward actuates a momentary switch and selects the MIST mode, which cycles the wiper blades for as long as the switch is held closed then completes the current cycle and parks the blades at the base of the windshield after the switch is released.

The right multi-function switch provides hard wired analog and resistor multiplexed inputs to the Steering Control Module (SCM) internal to the left (lighting) multi-function switch housing for all of the wiper and washer system functions. The SCM then sends electronic wiper and washer switch status messages to the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN), over a Local Interface Network (LIN) data bus. The EMIC responds to the SCM inputs by sending electronic wiper and washer system request messages to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus requesting the appropriate wiper and washer system operating modes.

Front wiper and washer system operation is completely controlled by the SCM, EMIC and TIPM logic circuits, and that logic will only allow these systems to operate when the ignition switch is in the ACCESSORY or ON positions. The TIPM uses intelligent, high current, self-protected high side switches to control wiper system operation by energizing or de-energizing the wiper motor low and high speed brushes. The TIPM uses an H-bridge circuit to control the operation of the reversible washer pump/motor unit. The right multi-function switch circuitry receives battery current and a clean ground output from the SCM, then provides analog and multiplexed inputs to the SCM to indicate the selected front wiper and front washer system mode.

The hard wired circuits and components of the front wiper and washer system may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS . However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the front wiper and washer system or the electronic controls or communication between other modules and devices that provide some features of the front wiper and washer system. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the front wiper and washer system or the electronic controls and communication related to front wiper and washer system operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

DESCRIPTION

The right (wiper) multi-function switch is located on the right side of the steering column, just below the steering wheel. This switch is the primary control for the front and rear wiper and washer systems. The only visible components of the switch are the control stalk (1), control knob (2) and control sleeve (3) that extend through the steering column shrouds on the right side of the column. The remainder of the switch including its mounting provisions and electrical connection are concealed beneath the shrouds.

Scheme 4

The switch housing and controls (6) are constructed of molded black plastic. Each of the switch controls has white International Control and Display Symbol graphics applied to it, which clearly identify its many functions. A single screw (7) through a mounting tab integral to the back of the switch housing, and a slide tab integral to the bottom of the switch housing secure the switch to the mounting bracket integral to the clockspring (3). A single connector receptacle containing seven terminal pins is integral to the inboard end of the switch housing and is connected by a jumper wire harness (5) directly to the Steering Control Module (SCM), which is internal to the housing (2) of the left multi-function switch (1).

The right (wiper) multi-function switch provides the vehicle operator with a control interface for the following wiper and washer system functions

1. Continuous Front Wipers - The right multi-function switch control knob provides detent switching for two continuous front wipe modes, low speed or high speed.
2. Intermittent Front Wipers - The right multi-function switch control knob provides detent switching for the intermittent front wipe mode with five minor detent delay interval positions.
3. Front Wiper Mist Mode - The right multi-function switch control stalk includes momentary switching of the front wiper motor low speed circuit to provide a mist mode features (sometimes referred to as pulse wipe), which allows the vehicle operator to momentarily operate the front wipers for one or more complete cycles.
4. Front Washer Mode - The right multi-function switch control stalk provides momentary switching for control of the front washer system operation.
5. Intermittent Rear Wipe Mode - The right multi-function switch control sleeve provides detent switching for a single fixed interval intermittent rear wiper mode.
6. Rear Washer Mode - The right multi-function switch control sleeve provides two momentary switch positions for control of rear washer system operation.

The right multi-function switch cannot be adjusted or repaired. If any function of the switch is ineffective, or if the switch is damaged, the entire switch unit must be replaced. The clockspring (with the multi-function switch mounting bracket), the left multi-function switch (with the SCM), the right multi-function switch and the jumper wire harness are each available for separate service replacement.

OPERATION

The right (wiper) multi-function switch uses a combination of resistor multiplexing and conventional analog switching to control the many functions and features it provides. The switch receives a clean ground from the Steering Control Module (SCM), then provides resistor multiplexed and conventional analog return outputs to the SCM to indicate the selected switch positions. The SCM then sends electronic switch status messages over a Local Interface Network (LIN) data bus to the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN), and the EMIC relays electronic wiper and washer switch request messages over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.

If the SCM detects no inputs from the right multi-function switch, it transmits an electronic Signal Not Available (SNA) status message over the LIN data bus. The SNA status signals the EMIC to request other electronic modules to implement a fail-safe mode of operation for the front and rear wiper systems. The fail-safe mode will maintain the last selected front and rear wiper system operation for the remainder of the current ignition cycle, after which both wiper systems will default to OFF.

The right multi-function switch as well as the hard wired inputs and outputs of the switch may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS . However, the most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose this component requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

Following are descriptions of how the right multi-function switch is operated to control the many front and rear wiper and washer system functions and features it provides

1. Front Wiper Control - The control knob on the end of the right multi-function switch control stalk is rotated to one of the two continuous wiper detents, to one of five intermittent wiper detents, or to the OFF position to select the front wiper mode. The SCM reads the input from the right multi-function switch and sends electronic wiper switch status messages over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic wiper switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.
2. Front Wiper Mist Mode - The front wiper mist mode is requested when the right multi-function switch control stalk is depressed downward towards the floor to a momentary MIST position. The front wiper motor will continue to operate, one complete cycle at a time, for as long as the control stalk is held in this position. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the right multi-function switch and sends an electronic wiper switch status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic wiper switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.
3. Front Washer Control - The right multi-function switch control stalk is pulled rearward towards the steering wheel to a momentary WASH position to activate the washer pump/motor in the front washer mode. The washer pump/motor will continue to operate for as long as the control stalk is held in this position. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the right multi-function switch and sends an electronic washer switch status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic washer switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.
4. Rear Wiper Control - The rear wiper mode is selected when the right multi-function switch control sleeve is rotated to the fixed interval intermittent rear wipe detent position, or the OFF detent position. The SCM reads the input from the right multi-function switch and sends an electronic wiper switch status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic wiper switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.
5. Rear Washer Control - The right multi-function switch control sleeve is rotated to one of two momentary WASH positions, either fully forward or fully rearward, to activate the washer pump/motor in the rear washer mode. The washer pump/motor will continue to operate in the rear washer mode until the control sleeve is released. The SCM reads the input from the right multi-function switch and sends an electronic washer switch status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic washer switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.

The molded translucent plastic washer fluid reservoir is integral to the engine coolant overflow bottle. This unit sits astride the top of the fan shroud at the front of the engine compartment, with the washer reservoir on the left side of the shroud and the coolant overflow bottle on the right. A single washer fluid reservoir is used for both the front and rear washer systems.

A bright yellow plastic filler cap with a rubber seal and an International Control and Display Symbol icon for Windshield Washer and the text WASHER FLUID ONLY molded into it snaps over the open end of the washer reservoir filler neck. The cap hinges on and is secured to a molded-in hook formation on the top of the reservoir just behind the filler neck when it is removed for inspecting or adjusting the fluid level in the reservoir.

There is a dedicated hole on the top of a sump area and an integral molded receptacle on the lower left facing side of the reservoir provided for the mounting of the washer/pump motor unit. These features allow for mounting of the washer pump/motor unit without the use of fasteners.

The washer reservoir is serviced only as a unit with the engine coolant reserve bottle. The washer reservoir cannot be repaired and, if ineffective or damaged, the coolant reserve bottle/washer reservoir unit must be replaced. The grommet seal/filter screen for the washer pump/motor unit and the filler cap are each available for individual service replacement.

The washer fluid reservoir provides a secure, on-vehicle storage location for a large reserve of washer fluid for operation of the front and rear washer systems. The washer reservoir filler neck provides a clearly marked and readily accessible point from which to add washer fluid to the reservoir. The washer/pump motor unit is located in a sump area near the bottom of the reservoir to be certain that washer fluid will be available to the pump as the fluid level in the reservoir becomes depleted. The washer pump/motor unit is mounted above the lowest position in the sump.

Scheme 5

The front wiper arms are the rigid members located between the wiper pivots that protrude from the cowl plenum cover/grille panel near the base of the windshield and the wiper blades on the windshield glass. These wiper arms feature an over-center hinge that allows easy access to the windshield glass for cleaning. The wiper arm has a die cast metal pivot end (4) with a large tapered mounting hole (5) at one end. A molded black plastic cap fits over the wiper arm retaining nut to conceal the nut and this mounting hole following wiper arm installation.

The wide end of a tapered, stamped steel channel (3) hinges on and is secured with a hinge pin (6) to the blade end of the wiper arm pivot end. One end of a long, rigid, stamped steel strap (2) with a small hole near its pivot end is riveted and crimped within the narrow end of the stamped steel channel. The tip of the wiper blade end of this strap is bent back under itself to form a small hook (1). Concealed within the stamped steel channel, one end of a long tension spring is engaged with a wire hook on the underside of the die cast pivot end, while the other end of the spring is hooked through the small hole in the steel strap. The entire wiper arm has a satin black finish applied to all of its visible surfaces.

A wiper arm cannot be adjusted or repaired. If damaged or ineffective, the entire wiper arm unit must be replaced.

Scheme 6

The rear wiper arm is the rigid member located between the rear wiper motor output shaft that protrudes through the liftgate outer panel below the center of the liftgate glass opening and the wiper blade on the outside of the glass. The wiper arm is constructed of molded black plastic. A hinged pivot end is also molded plastic.

A molded black plastic nut cover (1) with two pivot pins on one end and a snap feature on the other fits over the wiper arm retaining nut to conceal the nut and mounting hole following wiper arm installation. The wiper arm hinge and tension spring are concealed on the underside of the wide end of the arm (2), while integral latch features (3) concealed on the underside of the narrow end of the wiper arm accept the pivot pin of the matching molded plastic wiper blade unit.

The rear wiper arm cannot be adjusted or repaired. If damaged or ineffective, the entire wiper arm unit must be replaced.